Night Time Struggles

Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

1. As your child moves past the first year toward 18-21 months of age he will likely lose his morning nap and nap only once a day. While toddlers need up to 14 hours a day of sleep, they typically get only about 10.

Most children from about 21 to 36 months of age still need one nap a day, which may range from one to three and a half hours long. They typically go to bed between 7 and 9 p.m. and wake up between 6 and 8 a.m.

2. Baby sleep deprivation:
How to tell if your baby is overtired or underslept
© 2008 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved

Baby sleep deprivation? As a chronic condition, it's probably very rare. Babies are pretty good at regulating their own sleep if they are given plenty of opportunities for quiet time.

Often, parents are worried because they are uncertain about their baby's sleep requirements. Healthy babies may vary significantly in the amount of sleep that they need. To help you put your concerns about baby sleep deprivation in perspective, see this article about baby sleep needs.

But it’s possible for things to go wrong. Some parents may inadvertently over-stimulate their babies, making it harder for them to fall asleep. In other cases, babies may suffer from medical conditions or behavioral problems that interfere with their sleep. Parents may also overestimate how much sleep their babies need, causing babies to resist bedtime.

How can you tell if your baby isn’t getting enough sleep? There isn’t much scientific information available about identifying baby sleep deprivation. Nevertheless, a number of pediatricians, “baby gurus,” and experienced moms have noted these signs of baby sleep deprivation or overtiredness.

Sleep is the issues in the house. We have struggled with how bedtime is conducted for a long time now. Mommy sees it one way and Daddy prefers it another. Mommy believes that CJ should be put to sleep, while Daddy feels she should fall asleep at her leisure. Both practices have good and bad results and the common denominator is that she is always awaken from her sleep in the morning to be dressed. The date will go on and the fact of the matter is that CJ will get sleep. She seems to be a healthy baby, she is very social and when she wants to go to sleep she will grab her blanket or a pillow off the couch and lay down wherever she feels is comfortable.

So the night slowly fades on the day we turned the clocks back this extra hour rocks and I feel it. CJ is still tossing and turning and Daddy is waiting for her to go to sleep. We will pray that bedtime gets better. Prayer changes things, people, and situations!

Daddy and CJ's Sports Day

Today started at 6:00am for Daddy he needed to be up to shower and get dressed in order for him and CJ to make it out the house on time. CJ, as usual, slept through the entire act of her beings dressed, hair done, coat zipped and being carried to the car. She then proceeded to sleep all the way up north, where we had to go pick up her uncles to go see cousin Davon play his last game of the year. Yes it was chilly but Daddy made sure CJ was bundled up securely. Instead of eating what Daddy had prepared for her, CJ felt the need to eat what her Great-grandmother was eating, and as long as she fed her, CJ received with gladness.

At the football game CJ was very good. She cheered when she should and clapped at the proper time. She wanted to stretch her legs so she went with Ms. Nicole for a walk. While on her walk she found a leaf. When she showed it to Daddy, he said that she could color over it when she arrived home. No sooner than he closed his mouth CJ broke the leaf and tried to eat a piece of it. Needless to say, that was the end of the leaf and any plans on coloring it at home.

Now after a long morning and another game to go see in the evening one would thing CJ was tired and would go to sleep, right? Wrong, CJ outlasted her great-grandmother, her uncle, and her Pop. It was so bad that Pop said, "Daddy you have to watch her, I am going to get my hair cut." CJ still does not take naps when she is with her Daddy, or at least when she is supposed to.

CJ decided to nap once we got into the car for our trip to see TCNJ play Rider in an exhibition game. She slept all the way down the road, which left her a little dazed for the first half of the game. Boy did she come alive during the second half! CJ was cheering, dancing, clapping, and initiating conversation all around her. The lady behind us even gave her an empty water bottle to play with. Little did she know that when you engage in conversation with CJ that you're not done until she says so. She managed to stay focused on the game a bit too. You know Daddy loves that! At the end of the game CJ was able to meet a basketball player that always asks about her. CJ has seen her play twice at TCNJ but never a face-to-face meeting. Of course she tried to take the girl's phone but she said hello and goodbyes appropriately.

Today was a day well spent by CJ and Daddy. We had fun and enjoyed each other's company. We will have to do this more often. So folks pray more opportunities arise where CJ and Daddy hang out together, and in harmony too. We believe it will because prayer changes things, people, and situations!

Rest In

It was Friday a normal work day for Daddy but he decided to use today as a rest in. We all know that Daddy rarely has a day where he does not have to wake up early, work all day, and then either work all night, be down at the church, have a meeting, or something else comes up to make him be out longer than he desires to. The sun goes down and rises and he presses repeat and does it all over again. Day in and day out that is the routine. That is until today, Daddy decided to rest in.

Since Mommy and CJ enjoyed sleeping in the entire week, Daddy wanted to join in the relaxation. Today there was no alarm to put on snooze. God even allowed Daddy to sleep until about 9am. CJ woke up a bit early we grabbed her out her crib put her in the bed with us and we were all out for the count again. When Daddy and CJ finally got out of bed it was time for breakfast and Maury. Just being able to sleep late and have breakfast with my Princess was enough to make the day a success.

Once the evening came it was time to handle some family business. Not work business, not church business but business that was for pleasure. Even that was a success today. At the mall we received major discounts which always makes Daddy smile. CJ got her winter coat which is a dual purpose coat which made it worth the money it cost but again who cares we received a major discount and a future coupon!

Once we arrived home we enjoyed a fast food dinner (these will become less frequent than they already are real soon, Daddy has to get back on his healthy tip, he slipped a little bit), then CJ was bathed and put to bed. It was a great day from beginning to end. A lot was accomplished but most importantly, CJ and Daddy had some time to fuss and play. CJ is quite a handful and she is learning and growing each day. As we read together tonight she learned to make a monkey sound. I actually did most of the animal sounds in the book but she seemed to enjoy that of the monkey best. It excites me when she picks up knowledge and begins to apply it. Watching a baby mature is becoming very fascinating.

Prayerfully CJ and Daddy have a fun-filled day together tomorrow. We have not had one of these in quite a long time due to Daddy's work and church schedule. One thing Daddy tries to remember, and might have to get better at, is that his family is his first ministry. Daddy feels he is doing OK in the distribution but he would like to get better.

So continue to keep Daddy and CJ in your prayers as they continue to develop their bond. We will need it. I showed CJ some dresses that she is never to wear at the mall today. It is a shame what they have for these young ladies to wear. I may just have to find CJ a personal seamstress to make sure there is material included in her clothing. So pray folks...we know prayer changes things, people, and situations!

NOTE TO CJ: Always take time out for yourself. No one will give it to you, you have to be smart enough to know when to say when, love ya!

TICKED OFF

I actually just typed something meaningful and then something happened and its gone. I will not type it again. Today begins the search of how to compile all of my blogs and back them up.

CJ is sleep now and has a lingering cough today. Keep praying,we all know prayer changes things, people, and situations. Even coughs!

OUCH

Somehow CJ moved while sleeping an bust Mommys lip. CJ and Daddy are both sniffing but coming along. Keep praying for our health to improve. Prayer changes things, people, and situations. Daddy knows that prayer will get him back to 100%.

SICK

Today was a long day for Daddy. He had to work and then attend a Viewing Service for a friends mother. When Daddy left out CJ was asleep. he prayed and then departed. he did not hear from CJ during the day so he does not know how her day went. When he did talk to Mommy she said that CJ was a little sick. Go figure, Daddy is sick too. When Daddy arrived home CJ was, you guessed it. Sleep! So Daddy decided to let her be so she would not be up all night. Daddy really missed his Princess today he hates when he has to be away from her for long periods of time. This week has turned out to be very busy but the end is near and CJ and her Daddy will get to hang out.

SO pray for us. the devil is busy in our lives again but it is nothing we can not deal with. God is on our side and will bring us through to be victorious. CJ and her Daddy are living witnesses that prayer changes things, people, and situations. The devil has no power over us!

Mommy's Five Minutes

When Daddy left home CJ was just getting up. He had to go to work so he could not interact with her much. When he arrived home he saw the remnants of her day. Earlier in the evening Daddy asked Mommy who she felt won the first day off battle and she proudly proclaimed that she did. By the looks of it, this battle got ugly.

Daddy did not come home until after CJ's bedtime. We all know that if Daddy had the week off she would be allowed to stay up as late as she wanted to. Mommy sees things a little differently. We work with her since she works so hard. So Daddy decided to sit and wrap with Mommy since his Princess was out for the night. Actually I have to go and look in on her, that is not like Daddy to have gone this long without doing so.

So folks I'm off to checkon my Princess. You all keep praying. Prayer changes things, people, and situations.